The first episode of Oregon’s fall camp video series, Under Construction, gave fans a look at more than just drills and highlights. It also showed two Ducks stepping into leadership roles, with center Iapani “Poncho” Laloulu and cornerback Brandon Finney speaking to the team after Oregon’s third practice of fall camp.
Laloulu set the tone with a message about pushing into the uncomfortable spots. “Ain’t nobody want to swim with sharks.
You feel me? You got to get to that deep end.
It don't matter who we come against. You hear me?
In order for me to be better for my team, I got to push myself. I got to get myself to that place. . .” he said.
“What are you going to do that's different from everybody else? At the end of the day, only one team can come out on top.
Who that gonna be?”
Finney followed with a short but pointed challenge about keeping the energy up while staying steady. “I just want to say, way to bring the energy, y'all.
But the hardest thing is, this is day three. How are we going to stay consistent?
This is time to just push each other, push each other, but we got to be consistent,” said Finney.
The episode also featured Oregon coach Dan Lanning and offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer, both of whom delivered their own messages as the Ducks move closer to the 2026 regular season. Lanning, who is known for his fiery speeches, appeared in a team meeting at the start of August and pushed the roster to reflect on how much had changed in the last year.
“A couple weeks ago, I asked some guys in the room. Think about 365 days ago.
What was different for you 365 days ago? What were the expectations you had for yourself.
What were your expectations for your role on this team? What did that look like?
We just talked about being grateful, now I want you to think about where you're at today in comparison. Are you proud of the difference in those 365 days?
How have you used them? What expectations have you created for yourself?”
Lanning said.
As that speech played, the video cut to Oregon’s new facility and the progress made over the past 365 days. Lanning also made it clear the focus was on the present.
“Is it about Boise State right now? It is not.
It's about right now,” Lanning said.
Mehringer was shown leading the offense early in the episode and put the responsibility squarely on the players. “What's the only thing that's gonna hold us back?
Us. Right?
Us. It isn't ever going to be a talent issue for this group.
No, what's it gonna be? Discipline and effort.
Can we hold each other accountable? The only thing that ever's gonna hold us back is us.
And if we're going to be a player-led organization, a player-led offense, everybody's got to hold the standard,” said Mehringer.
On the field, the recap included practice clips of Evan Stewart and Iverson Hooks making plays at receiver, Dierre Hill Jr. breaking a run between the tackles, Na'eem Offord appearing to come away with an interception, and Kendre Harrison showing off a stiff-arm after the catch.
The episode also revisited Oregon’s trip to Tokyo, where a select group of Ducks saw quarterback Dante Moore featured on billboards around different neighborhoods. Hill’s reaction summed up the moment.
“That's my quarterback. I mean, it don't get no better than this.
I love that guy, can't wait to protect for him. Me and my boy JD (Jordon Davison).
That's our dog, man. So happy for him,” Hill said.
Lanning and Moore posed for a selfie with one of the billboards behind them, and Lanning even floated the idea that trips to Japan could become a regular part of Oregon’s future instead of a one-off during the seven-on-seven exhibitions.
The group also took in Tokyo off the field, including a stop at the Tsukiji Fish Market. Dante Moore, Dakorien Moore, Evan Stewart, Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr. all reacted to sushi, while Jamari Johnson had his own moment when a vendor showed off a freshly caught tuna that weighed 110 pounds. Johnson joked with Dakorien Moore, then replied, “My bad, my bad,” while trying not to laugh.
Oregon general manager Marshall Malchow was part of the trip as well, and his biggest moment came during a sumo wrestling experience at a restaurant. Malchow went one-on-one with a Japanese sumo wrestler while wearing a sumo costume, with every Oregon player and Lanning filming the scene.
Dakorien Moore called it the highlight of the night, while Stewart joked, “If it was me, I would've won off of technique. Not strength, technique,” said Stewart.
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